Religious Matters

April 21, 2017

A seasonal sales associate alleged discrimination because of religion when her employment was terminated and she was evicted from employee housing for violating her employer’s policy against alcohol on the premises. She alleged that her Mormon coworkers/housemates who violated the same policy in the same incident were not fired or evicted. The employer asserted that it discharged the non-Mormon associate because she failed to accept responsibility for her actions. Commission staff found substantial evidence of discrimination and the parties agreed to conciliate the case. The employer paid the associate $2500 in back pay and provided training to its managers and supervisors on the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.